While expressing our profound anguish and outrage at the unreasonable and inordinate delay in the investigation into the infamous Leilon Vaiphei massacre the rarest of the rare cases in modern history. We register our strong objection against the recent biased submissions made on the floor of the House of the 8th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the temple of democracy, by leader of the House, Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister, Govindas Konthoujam Singh utterly shielding the prime accused, Lalboi Vaiphei, Chief of Leilon Vaiphei village and the state police personnel involved in the crime, namely Mr. Thanggilien Vaiphei, even before the conclusion of the investigation by the agency. How sure is the leader of the house and concerned Minister could give a clean chit to the accused while the investigation is on?
Further question the intention of the government trying to apply the same logic on the complicity of the Mrs. Nemcha Kipgen, Dy. CM., Manipur in the aforesaid crime? Or has the government machineries has totally compromised because of her position in the state as Dy. CM in the present government?
The testimonies of surviving victims and statements of the wives of the deceased among six Naga men are on record in this regard. The world knows that the abduction on May 13, 2026 and subsequent killing of the six Naga men at Leilon Vaiphei village was orchestrated by the Leilon Vaiphei villagers and Kuki militants, the KNF-P, which is headed by the spouse of Mrs. Nemcha Kipgen, Dy. CM. of Manipur. Prima facie evidences cannot be buried in the whims of political power.
It may be reminded that, the prime conspirator of the twin towers attack on September 11, 2001 was not present at the crime scene Osama Bin Laden was far away from the location yet, he was executed in course of time. Conspiracy is not absolved by physical absence. The distance between conspirators and the place of occurrence of the crime cannot determine the non-complicity of the accused.
Instead of making sincere efforts to address the charter of demands submitted by the United Naga Council, the head of the state has chosen to shield the perpetrators from prosecution, thereby hindering the delivery of justice to the victims and the public. The dead bodies of 6 Naga men are still lying in the mortuary. Their families are waiting to perform the last rites and give them a decent burial. This continued indignity is unacceptable and inhuman.
The Naga people truly appreciate and stand in one accord with the bold decision of the Naga Legislators to abstain from the 8th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in protest against killing of innocent civilians and unreasonably delaying in the delivery of justice to the victims of the six Naga men, and objecting to the presence of Nemcha Kipgen, Dy. CM. of Manipur, in the House, who is the spouse of the chief of KNF-P, the prime actor of the unprecedented crime in the state should be treated with the seriousness it deserves. This move is not a routine protest. It is historic and reflects deep-seated grievances over the prolonged failure to conclude investigation, initiate effective prosecution, and deliver justice in the Leilon Vaiphei case.
We urge the State and Central governments to take appropriate and time-bound actions to address the grievances of the Naga people in particular and the state in general including ensuring an impartial investigation, accountability for delays, dignified handling of the mortal remains of the victims, and sincere engagement with the charter of demands submitted by the United Naga Council. Failing which, may lead to serious political ramifications in the state.
“We implore both the State and Central governments to come clean on the matter and to address the UNC charter of demands in the right earnest, and deliver the long overdue justice to the people” added the statement issued by H. James Hau, Information & Publicity Secretary, UNC.
